News

In the face of housing restrictions put in place to control the spread of Avian Influenza (AI) OF&G has asked for clarification from Defra regarding the status of organic free range eggs and poultry. Under orders placed by Defra in December, all free range hens had to be housed for 30 days to protect against […]

The Organic Trade Board (OTB) has been awarded €10.4 million by the EU to run a three year campaign to promote organic food in the UK and Denmark. Starting in January 2017, the Organic Trade Board will work with brands, processors and retailers to drive growth in the organic food and drink sector. OF&G was […]

The future of agricultural support post-Brexit, fair-trade farming systems and protecting soils were the talk of Oxford last week as hundreds of farmers and growers convened for the annual Oxford Farming and the Oxford Real Farming Conferences. OF&G kick-started 2017 by being at both events, and here we bring you the highlights….. Farewell to direct […]

OF&G has worked hard to offer assistance to officials over the past 2½ years to bring about the best possible outcome for the negotiation of a new EU Organic Regulation. We have always maintained that the current regulatory framework already provides a strong basis for the development of organic food and farming and would have […]

Re-examining livestock welfare and production systems is key to helping drive down the routine use of antibiotics in UK agriculture. This is the message from OF&G chief executive Roger Kerr on European Antibiotic Awareness Day. Roger says producers need to be prepared to think differently about how they manage their animals if they are to take serious […]

Glastir Organic provides support to organic farmers and producers The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs has agreed to open a further Expression of Interest round for Glastir Organic. Timing of the EOI window is yet to be finalised but we have been told that the aim is for 17 October for contracts to […]

National Organic Combinable Crops (NOCC) conference Organic farmers and growers were given plenty of reasons to be cheerful at this year’s National Organic Combinable Crops conference, the largest on-farm event in the sector’s calendar. Increasing demand for organic food and changes in consumer shopping habits mean there are greater business opportunities available for farmers than […]

EU role in supporting organic farmers The value of the European Union to Britain’s organic farmers came under the spotlight last week as OF&G met two politicians who are campaigning for the country to remain part of the EU. Jo Churchill, MP for Bury St Edmonds, and Conservative MEP for the East of England Vicky […]

Britain’s organic food producers and processors could face serious risks if the UK left the European Union without some solid assurances of continued support from Defra, says leading organic licensing body OF&G. OF&G, which certifies more than half of the UK’s organic land, said being part of the EU gives organic businesses direct access to […]

Being part of the organic sector could help build much-needed resilience into food and farming businesses struggling in difficult market conditions, according to a leading organic certifier. OF&G, one of the largest organic control bodies in the UK, said the organic sector was helping build longevity into British agriculture and food manufacturing by adding value […]